Awakening to Our Awful Situation

By Jack Monnett

Reviewed by Jeffrey Needle
On 4/30/2007

Nauvoo House, 2007 Paperback:
430 pages EAN: 978-1-930679-98-6 Price: $22.95

You all know the old saw: Just because you're paranoid, it doesn't mean they aren't after you! There is no shortage of people who subscribe to the conspiratorial world-view. They come in all flavors, and call into question virtually every aspect of our lives, individually and corporately.

Jack Monnett has put together a rich and readable guide to identifying, and defying, the many "secret combinations" that he sees in today's society. Drawing heavily from the Book of Mormon, he aims his guns at both the conspirators and those who fail to heed the warnings given in Latter-day Scripture.

His study is comprehensive. Beginning with Book of Mormon events, he makes his way through history and focuses on events here in the U.S. The League of Nations, the United Nations, even the bringing down of the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001, are scrutinized, raising questions and relating events and organizations across time. Some of his observations are rather frightening, but isn't this the goal? To frighten people, to make them ready, to warn and to alarm?

Monnett begins his book with a brief observation of the need for open discussion. He acknowledges that we all want to get along and agree, but argues that growth comes from disagreement. I think he is exactly right. It would be a pretty boring show if we all agreed on everything.

He moves on to explain, in detail, what a "secret combination" is, and throughout the book, helps the reader identify such conspiracies, not only in history, but in our current day. He isn't afraid to name names. Some of his identifications will cause some discomfort, but so what? His underlying point -- that we need to be more aware and more critical -- is a good one, one that I agree with.

Many readers will be disinclined to believe any of the conspiracy theories that are described here. This is no surprise. We've been pummeled by such theories over the years. So many have proven false. And this has not stopped others from coming up with new ideas, new notions about the evil around us.

But what happens when your scriptures spell out the conspiracy? Do you dismiss it, give it no credit? Or do you give it a second look? I'm all in favor of a wealth of ideas in the marketplace of opinion. No matter how outlandish they sound, it is worth listening. Who knows what will emerge as true?

The book is accompanied by a 2 hour DVD by Dr. Steven E. Jones. I haven't had the chance to listen to it yet, and so I can't comment on it.

Dr. Monnett has much to say. His viewpoint is worth listening to. You may disagree with some of his conclusions, but his observations have value and should be heard.


Copyright 2007